HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD OF IRAN

CATHOLICOSATE  OF CILICIA, 11/17/2008

Within the context of his visitation to the Armenian Community of Iran, His Holiness Aram I met president Ahmadinejad.

The discussion between the Catholicos and the President mainly focused on inter-faith dialogue and particularly Christian-Muslim dialogue and collaboration. The president stressed the importance of the role of religion in a world dominated by wars, conflicts, poverty and injustice. Aram I referred to the need of translating intellectual dialogue to a quality of common life sustained by common values.

President of Iran expressed his great appreciation for the constructive role of the Armenians in Iran. His Holiness said that the Armenians being faithful citizens of Iran have their specificities. Welcoming the progress made recently in cultural, educational and legal spheres of community life, His Holiness

 reminded that he expects more in this respect from state authorities.

His Holiness was invited to take part in the third meeting of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue, which was initiated some eight years ago between the Interfaith Dialogue Department of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

Aram I was accompanie

d with H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian of Tehran, H.G. Bishop Papken Charian of Isfahan, the Armenian deputies of the parliament of Iran, Mr. Kevork Vartanian and Robert Peklarian.

The Armenians constitute the largest Christian community in Iran. More than 150.000 Armenians live in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Urm

i and other parts of the country.

Photo: President Ahmadinejad of Iran receives His Holiness Aram I (Tuesday 4 November 2008)

Source: http://www.armeni

anorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitseng.htm#8